Designated Exceptional Services for Independence
Public records show a registered, tax-exempt organization in good standing.
Points to look into
- It owes more than it owns.
These come from the organization's own tax return. There may be a good explanation; ask the charity.
What it says it does
To teach those with disabilities to live independent lives so they can be their own person, make their own decision and experience the joy of doing so. 1. Provide job training to persons with ID, 2. Conduct a food pantry, 3. Provide job training to youth, 4. provide job training
- Income
- $2.1 million
- Spending
- $2.1 million
- Spent on programs
- 100%
- Reserves
- -1.9 months of spending
- Largest source of income
- fees for its services, 93%
- Employees
- 67
- Volunteers
- 12
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Financial health
Weak: 42 out of 100. Higher than 9% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Reserves
0 of 35Spendable reserves are negative: it owes or has committed more than it holds.
Debt
0 of 20It owes 132% of what it owns.
Living within its means
12 of 15Income exceeded spending by 2% of income.
Income trend
15 of 15Income rose 17% on the year before.
Spending floor
15 of 15100% of spending went to programs and raising each dollar of donations cost 0 cents.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Governance
Good: 77 out of 100. Higher than 55% of charities in its peer group (recreation and sports, $1m to $10m).
Independent board
18 of 253 of 3 voting board members are independent.
Conflict of interest policy
15 of 15Has a written conflict of interest policy.
Whistleblower policy
0 of 8Reports no written whistleblower policy.
Record keeping policy
0 of 7Reports no written policy on keeping and destroying records.
Board minutes
5 of 5Keeps minutes of board meetings.
Board sees the tax return
10 of 10Gave the board a copy of this return before filing it.
Independent check of accounts
15 of 15Its accounts were audited by an independent accountant.
No reported misuse
10 of 10Reports no diversion of assets, excess benefits or loans to insiders.
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Impact evidence
Describes programs. Its tax return describes what it does but we have found no measurable results in it.
Programs described in its return (3)
- $1.8 million spent. DESI also provides a scholarship, in memory of a late client, to attendees at a local college. DESIs late client attended a local community college for three semesters and was a member of the Disabled Student Cewnter. He had dreams of pursuring a college education and one day having a job where he could support a family of his won. He had a strong commitment to his community and was an active volunteer. This scholarship has been established in his name to honor his memory, and find someone who shares his zeal for life, dedication to their communities, and bettering themselves through continuing their education.
- $191,410 spent. DESI provides a variety of support services, from simply purchasing household goods so our clients may achieve an independent and healthy lifestyle to purchaing attire and tools needed to seek employment. We also provide nutritious meals, personal items, and toiletries to clients who cannot afford them. Again those items are only readily available thru donations or thru purchases made by DESI employees
- $76,869 spent. The prevalence of people with developmental and mental disabilities has increased significantly over the past decade. Therefore there is an increasing need for health education and social services and more specialized health services for people with Independence DESI was founded in 2008 by Elizabeth Jinzo. She being the parent of a developmentally disable child quickly came to identify the needs and opportunities available to the non-disabled but of which her daughter was deprived. This challenging and often painful experience inspired a vision in Mrs Jinzo that led her to design the Community integration Component at DESI Especially its specifically individualized approach. Designated Exceptional Services for Independence DESI has been a nonprofit organization that ioffers community integration training to those with developmental disabilities. Community integration is an essential part of living a happy independent and fulfilling life for persons with develpi
Source: Form 990 for the year ending December 31, 2024, filed with the Internal Revenue Service. Rating method 2026.2. How we rate
Legitimacy checks
Is it registered with the IRS? Passed.
Listed in the IRS master file of tax-exempt organizations as a 501(c)(3) charitable organization.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Has the IRS revoked its tax-exempt status? Passed.
Not on the IRS automatic revocation list.
Source: Automatic revocation of exemption list, Internal Revenue Service, file dated November 6, 2026.
Are donations tax-deductible? Passed.
On the IRS list of organizations eligible to receive tax-deductible contributions.
Source: Publication 78 data: organizations eligible for tax-deductible contributions, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it keeping up with its IRS filings? Passed.
Most recent return on file covers the year ending December 2024.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
How long has it been tax-exempt? Passed.
Recognized by the IRS since February 2013.
Source: Exempt Organizations Business Master File, Internal Revenue Service, file dated October 13, 2026.
Is it in good standing with state regulators? Passed.
Not on California's list of charities barred from soliciting. Other states are not yet checked.
Source: May Not Operate or Solicit for Charitable Purposes list, California Attorney General, Registry of Charities and Fundraisers, file dated November 4, 2026.
Ratings and checks are our reading of public records, using the published method. They are not a statement about anyone's honesty. If you work for this organization, you can send corrections or results, confirm you want gifts through Veridonate, or ask to be removed from giving.